Don't believe for a second that Bama is in any sort of decline. They are a young team with not quite as consistent QB play as they have had. Couple that with very questionable play calling by their new OC. They are still recruiting among the top one, or two in the country.
They had a first, and goal Saturday night inside the five yard line, and threw three passes, and wound up kicking a field goal. I'll bet a valued piece of my anatomy that that crap won't happen again. If it does Saban may have a cerebral hemorrhage.